Frank Roland Orzell, 82

Frank Roland Orzell, 82 years old, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019. He was born on Oct. 24, 1936, in San Francisco, Calif., to parents Stanley and Marcelline Orzell and brother, Kenneth (Skip) Orzell.

He attended Polytechnic High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Dixie Davis. During his high school summer vacations, he worked as a forest ranger at Big Bend and Fall River Mills. He attended the University of Michigan to play football and study engineering.

He then entered the St. Paul Novitiate in New Jersey, where he studied to become a Paulist Catholic priest. He left the Novitiate prior to taking his vows and shortly after, met his first wife, Maria del Rosario Hernandez. They lived together in Mexico and later welcomed three daughters: Sandra, Rosanna and Jessica. During this time, he enjoyed a successful career in finance in the U.S. and Central and South America, as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and other companies. He was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and had tried his hand at bullfighting.

Frank continued his consulting career at Index Systems in Cambridge, Mass., where he helped clients integrate technology into their businesses. He met his second wife, Ann Chatham Rote, in Boston, Mass., on a blind date set up by a colleague. He welcomed his fourth daughter, Susannah, and only a few years later became a grandfather.

He leaves behind seven grandchildren: Sandra, Christian, Fabiola, Juan Manuel, Diego, Santiago and Daniela. Many years later, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Dixie Davis, and they later married. He moved to Coeur d’Alene after retiring, where he spent his final years with Dixie and her family.

He was passionate about woodcarving, cooking and political activism. His mind remained as sharp as ever in retirement, and he exercised it frequently in city hall and in his wood carving projects.

More than anything, he loved his family, and never ceased to brag about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Speaking on behalf of his family and dear friends, although we sorely miss him already, we are incredibly grateful to have had such an extraordinary man in our lives.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the National Forestry Service Plant-A-Tree Program at www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/donations.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Frank’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.